Skiing in Serre Chevalier
The Skiing
Serre Chevalier is a large ski resort in the Southern French Alps, midway between the French city of Grenoble, and the Italian city of Turin. Almost unheard of 10-15 years ago it is rapidly gaining in popularity , thanks to its reputation of sunshine and good snow. It has mainly North facing slopes and therefore maintains its snow well into April. Snow-making on the lower runs means skiing down to the village is possible all season.
There are 250kms of pistes to suit skiers of all abilities, and non-skiers can meet you for lunch at the top of the gondolas. There is some fantastic off-piste skiing for the experts amongst you, but a guide is recommended.
Monetier-les-Bains, at an altitude of 1500m , is the highest village in the resort, the others being spread along the foot of the pistes, Villeneuve-la-Salle, Chantemerle/Saint-Chaffrey and the Napoleonic fortress town of Briancon, the highest town in the Alps, which is at 1200m. A good skier can cross from one end of the resort to the other in a day, but it doesn't matter too much where you finish at the end of the day, as the ski bus runs regularly.
Mountain Restaurants
There are a number of restaurants dotted all over the ski area. On the Monetier slopes, there are three. The Halte at Pre-Chabert (bottom of the slopes), the Chapka (top of the chairlift), and the Peyra Juana (down the Rochamout piste) which is our favourite. Get there early as it is very small.
Cross over to the remainder of the ski area, and there is a choice at the top of all the main lifts.
Serre Ratier has the biggest selection, of the several there, the Troll is our favourite, and we can also recommend the Bivouac de Casse near the Casse du Boeuf chair, and Le Bercail at Aravet.
Over towards Briancon, the small and friendly Chalet du Serre Blanc is an excellent hot chocolate stop.
Serre Chevalier in Summer
Monetier-les-Bains and the rest of the Serre Chevalier area is just as beautiful in Summer as it is in Winter.
The main ski lifts from each village open between June and early September for the enjoyment of walkers and mountain bikers. Cycle or walk through Europe's largest larch forest, or catch the lift up and enjoy lunch at the top in one of the mountain restaurants before following one of the marked routes back down the mountain.
The walled town of Briancon is worth a vist too. Designed my the French military architect Vauban, and with a beautiful 18th century church, there is something for everyone in the cobbled streets. See our blog for more details of things to do in the summer.
If you prefer the water, you can raft or kayak down the river, or just laze in the THERMAL BATHS or the swimming pool.
Trips by raft or kayak can be booked in the village, please see the JOUR DE RAFT website for more details.
There is more information on our blog
Summer lifts are now closed, but there is still plenty of accessible walks and climbs from the valley.